“Unless plans have changed, he will be building towards the WrestleMania 29 match with Triple H.”

If that is true, then don’t look for Lesnar to appear at this month’s WWE Royal Rumble 2013. He could possibly return at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view Feb. 17 in New Orleans to begin his WrestleMania push since EC will be the last PPV before WrestleMania 29.

It also indirectly confirms what has been speculated for some time that Lesnar will face Triple H in April’s mega-PPV.

But the question remains about how long Lesnar will hang around. Last year, he showed up on the post-Wrestlemania Raw telecast, stayed through two pay-per-views and disappeared again.

Would you welcome Brock Lesnar back to WWE TV even if it is only for a short time again?

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Would you welcome Brock Lesnar back to WWE TV even if it is only for a short time again?

Yes

71.9%

No

28.1%

Total votes: 7,417

His next visit could be short-lived, too. According to the LordsOfPain.net report:

“Speaking of Lesnar, his contract expires with WrestleMania, and it's unknown yet if he has re-signed for another year. WWE will be facing the same issues they do every year once WrestleMania is over with four of the expected top six headliners not appearing much if any at all after April - The Rock, The Undertaker, Triple H and Lesnar.”

If Lesnar vanishes again after WrestleMania, it’s likely his stock with the WWE Universe will drop significantly because his return has been teased almost beyond the breaking point.

Ever since WWE Champion CM Punk aligned himself with former Lesnar mouthpiece Paul Heyman, the WWE Universe has been waiting impatiently for Lesnar to return and form a stable with Punk and Heyman.

When rumors circulated about The Shield possibly joining forces with Punk and Heyman, the calls for Lesnar’s return intensified.

Whenever Punk, Heyman or The Shield appeared on TV or in a PPV, everyone kept one eye on the Titantron waiting for Lesnar’s music to hit. It never happened.

At least now, we have some idea of when to start watching for Brock Lesnar to finally appear. But will he hang around long enough to once again become relevant in WWE or will he become just another veteran superstar trotted out every so often to boost ratings?

Bill Atkinson is a columnist with Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at @BAtkinson1963.